Akron Slip & Fall Lawyers

Akron Slip & Fall Accidents

According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, slip and fall injuries are a major cause of work-related injuries in Akron and throughout the state. National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits across the U.S., emphasizing the seriousness of these accidents.

Where Do Akron Slip & Fall Accidents Happen?

Slip and fall accidents can happen in almost any setting, from commercial properties to public parks. Whether you are shopping at the Chapel Hill Mall or visiting a local restaurant in Highland Square, slip and fall injuries often occur without warning.

Common places in Akron where slip and falls happen include:

• Restaurants
• Walkways and sidewalks
• Shopping centers
• Construction sites
• Factories
• Airports
• Parks and rec centers
• Warehouses
• Parking garages
• Stairwells
• Business offices
• Retail businesses
• Government buildings
• Grocery stores
• Private residences
• Entertainment spaces and venues
• Other commercial buildings

Akron Slip & Fall Hotspots

Certain locations in Akron have a higher likelihood of slip and fall incidents due to poor maintenance, heavy foot traffic, or inadequate safety measures. Some common hotspots include:

• Summit Mall and Chapel Hill Mall: Slip hazards often occur in high-traffic areas due to spills or misplaced objects.
• Downtown Akron: Retail shops, restaurants, and public sidewalks can become dangerous, especially in icy or wet conditions.
• Public parks like Goodyear Heights Metro Park: Walkways and trails can present hazards from poor lighting, uneven paths, or bad weather conditions.
• Lock 3 Park and Canal Park Stadium: Sports and entertainment venues can be dangerous due to wet floors, crowded stairwells, or improperly maintained walking areas.
• Parking garages near Akron Children’s Hospital or University of Akron: Poor maintenance, untreated ice, and inadequate lighting are common hazards.

What Causes Slip & Falls in Akron?

Slip and fall accidents in Akron are commonly caused by property owner negligence or unsafe conditions on the premises. Failure to address hazards promptly can lead to serious injuries.

Typical reasons for slips, trips, and falls in Akron include:

• Snow and Ice: Akron winters often result in slippery sidewalks, parking lots, and building entrances, requiring property owners to clear pathways and reduce hazards.
• Uneven & Broken Sidewalks: Many older neighborhoods and commercial areas in Akron have aging infrastructure, increasing the risk of trip-and-fall incidents.
• Wet Floors: Whether at local grocery stores or restaurants, spills need immediate attention from staff to prevent accidents.
• Inadequate Lighting: Dimly lit parking lots, stairwells, or building entryways create hazardous conditions, making it difficult to see obstacles.
• Poor Maintenance: Neglecting handrails, cracked steps, and debris in walkways often lead to dangerous falls.

Akron Slip & Fall Injuries

Slip and fall injuries can range from minor bruises to severe, life-altering conditions. If you’ve been injured after a fall at a business, park, or private property in Akron, you may be entitled to pursue legal action against the responsible party.

Common injuries resulting from slip and falls:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Often occur when victims hit their heads on hard surfaces, leading to long-term cognitive impairments.
• Fractures & Broken Bones: Wrist, arm, and hip fractures are particularly common, especially among older adults.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Falling down stairs or onto a hard surface can result in nerve damage and mobility issues.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn ligaments, muscle strains, and sprains are frequently reported after awkward or sudden falls.
• Facial Injuries: Broken noses, cuts, and disfigurement can result from falling face-first onto a hard surface.

How to Prove Fault for a Slip and Fall

In Ohio, proving negligence in a slip and fall case is essential to securing compensation. To do so, you must demonstrate the following:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care, such as maintaining safe conditions and preventing hazards.
• The property owner breached that duty by failing to address a hazard or warning you of potential dangers.
• The breach directly caused your fall and the resulting injuries.
• You suffered measurable damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

What to Do After an Akron Slip & Fall

After a slip and fall accident, your next steps are essential. Here’s what to do:

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Do what you can to secure evidence and document the scene of your fall.
• Obtain the contact and insurance information of all involved parties.
• Speak with anyone who may have witnessed the accident and obtain their contact information.
• Take videos and photographs of your injuries and the damage at the scene of the fall.
• Never post on social media or talk to the insurance company about your injuries or the accident.
• Reach out to a dedicated slip-and-fall lawyer in Akron.

How to File an Akron Slip & Fall Lawsuit

No matter how your slip and fall injuries occur, it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Once you have a better idea of what to expect, you may feel more confident moving forward with a slip and fall claim or lawsuit.

The claims process after a slip & fall involves:

• Your slip and fall attorney will investigate the cause of your fall, gathering compelling evidence to support liability and prove fault
• Once the liable party is identified, your lawyer will file a claim with their insurance company
• Your lawyer will negotiate a favorable settlement to cover all your assorted losses.
• When settlements are insufficient, or the defendant is not insured, suing the liable party after a slip and fall may be necessary.

Can I Share the Blame and Still Recover Slip & Fall Damages

Ohio’s comparative negligence law means that if you share some responsibility for your slip and fall accident in Akron, your compensation may be reduced based on your level of fault. For instance, if you are found 20% at fault, your total compensation would be reduced by 20%. However, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.

This is why it’s essential to have an experienced Akron slip and fall attorney by your side. The team at KNR will work to minimize claims of comparative fault and ensure you secure the maximum compensation possible.

How Do Akron Property Owners Deny Liability for Slip & Falls

Property owners and their insurance companies often try to escape liability by arguing that the dangerous condition was “open and obvious,” suggesting you should have been able to notice and avoid the hazard.

Other common defenses include blaming the victim for being careless or claiming they weren’t aware of the hazard.

KNR aggressively counters these slip and fall defenses by:

• Gathering surveillance footage or witness statements showing that the property owner had sufficient time to address or fix the hazard.
• Working with experts to demonstrate that the hazard wasn’t as “obvious” as the defense claims, particularly in cases involving inadequate lighting or hidden dangers.
• Proving prior knowledge of the hazard through past complaints, maintenance requests, or inspection records.

KNR will fight to ensure property owners and their insurers are held accountable for their negligence.

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Why Work with Our Akron Slip & Fall Attorneys?

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we strive to make the recovery process after a slip and fall accident in Akron as smooth and stress-free as possible. We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with insurance companies and legal procedures while you’re recovering. With our experienced team of personal injury lawyers by your side, you don’t have to face it alone.

With over 500 years of combined legal experience, a team of 30+ attorneys, and millions recovered for injured clients, KNR is ready to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

“KNR was outstanding. They listened, understood, and handled everything. I’m grateful for their support.” – John P.

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Let KNR handle your slip and fall claim so you can focus on moving forward.

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Team KNR Will:

• Investigate, collect evidence, and find those at fault for your accident.
• Interview witnesses, medical professionals, and experts to show how your life was impacted.
• Communicate with the insurer, clarify liability, and pursue max compensation.
• Determine your accident’s full and fair value – what you lost and deserve.
• Keep you informed and involved. KNR is available by phone, text, email, or Zoom.
• Protect your rights and, if necessary, take your case to court.
• Never charge you upfront. If there’s no recovery, there’s no cost.

Although you can hold the liable party, and their insurance company will pay you fairly when they are responsible for causing your damages, often, they do what they can to reduce their financial obligation. Let our team at KNR work tirelessly to ensure you are compensated for every single loss.

Schedule a Free Consult with KNR